In a stark instance of social ostracism, residents of a village in Bargarh district, Odisha, refused to perform the last rites of a 60 to 65-year-old widow who had married outside her caste, compelling volunteers from a local social organisation to step in and cremate her body with dignity.
The Deceased and Her Ordeal
The deceased, Shanti Bariha of Marhatikra hamlet under Attabira block, had been excommunicated along with her husband decades ago for their inter-caste marriage. She died on June 3, but villagers stayed away for two days, leaving her body unattended.
A member of the Dumal community, Shanti had married Madan Seth of the Binjhal caste against prevailing social norms. The couple faced lifelong ostracism from both families and the village. When Madan died five years ago, no one came forward to help. Shanti reportedly paid Rs 500 to two men to dig a grave and buried her husband herself. Her ordeal continued until her death.
Intervention by Social Organisation
The matter came to light after local resident Tarani Dalei alerted Bargarh-based social organisation Sankalpa Parivar and informed Attabira police. Acting on a request from the police, members of the organisation reached the village and performed the last rites with due dignity in the presence of law enforcement. The cremation was carried out under the supervision of the organisation’s secretary, G Ramesh, along with volunteers including Nilesh Pradhan, Chinmaya Pandey, Yogendra Pandey, Dinesh Mahattam, Rohan, Amar Singh, and Sahil Bhoi.
“Following a request from Attabira police, our team conducted the last rites of the deceased woman,” said Bikash Agarwal, president of Sankalpa Parivar. The organisation has so far performed last rites for more than 600 unclaimed and destitute persons.
